Yeah, sing the song, Bro'

If the sun refuse to shine,
I don't mind, I don't mind,
If the mountains fell in the sea,
let it be, it ain't me.
Alright, 'cause I got my own world to live through,
And I ain't gonna copy you.

Now if 6 turned out to be 9,
I don't mind, I don't mind,
Alright, if all the hippies cut off all their hair,
I don't care, I don't care.
Dig, 'cause I got my own world to live through,
And I ain't gonna copy you.

White collared conservative flashing down the street,
Pointing their plastic finger at me.
They're hoping soon my kind will drop and die,
But I'm gonna wave my freak flag high, high.
Wave on, wave on.

Fall mountains, just don't fall on me.
Right on Mr. Business man, you can't dress like me.
Dreams, strife. Don't nobody know what I'm talkin' about.
I got my own life to live.
I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die.
So let me live my life the way I want to.
Sing on Brother, play on drummer.


Lyrics submitted by capitol76, edited by kennyc

If 6 Was 9 song meanings
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54 Comments

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  • +5
    General Comment

    This song is truly about freedom and doing your own thing no matter what social groups prevail, no matter social class, what is hip, what people put you down or if the world is upside down. If everyone lived as themselves and weren't influenced by everything and everyone around them people would live simplier and happier. Everything is okay as long as you've got your individuality.

    love_is_freeon December 08, 2008   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    If 6 was 9: It would be if the world was upside down. But I dont mind. This is a very american song. No group identity just me and mine. He is asserting and celebrating the self. An that time there were of course white collare conservatives, hippies and freaks. The freaks were total nonconformists alinging with no group and even hippies required conformity as a group. If 6 was 9 - if every foundation we have built this civilization on falls....

    Whatsthewordon April 03, 2003   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I think Robert has it partially right. I think Jimi was also discussing how the counter-culture became a marketable image and all of a sudden, it became hip to be a hippie. The same way Grunge became hip and fashionable in the early 1990s. There was a time when wearing flannel meant something (I guess), but after a while it was showing up as a fashion style.

    Jimi is saying that he is a true "different person". You can dress and look like me...but you will never be me. "Go ahead on mister business man, you can't dress like me "

    jersey73on October 01, 2004   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Jimi Hendrix plays the flute in this number

    Damn great song, so trippy

    heyjude55on April 03, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    well maybe you should!

    havingablaston June 21, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    i think its more about jimi being himself, and he would be the same "If all the hippies cut off all their hair", cuz like "Don't nobody know what I'm talkin' about I've got my own life to live I'm the one that's gonna die when it's time for me to die So let me live my life the way I want to", no matter what, jimi will be jimi, and every one should take a lesson from him

    hilikus02roufon August 29, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I don't think anybody said this, but when you flip a 6 upsidedown it becomes a 9. Then he parelells this idea to socitey.

    SayItAintSo526on October 17, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Basically, Jimi was a smart man who wanted to have fun. This song proves how eloquent his song lyrics were. The message he's trying to send a long is pretty simple "I'm going to do things my way, no matter what you think"

    andipizzleon November 12, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    the song is about Bisexuality - jimmi and Janis (both lovers) both flaming bisexuals, hence.."I'm gonna wave my freak flag high, high" tho..you the fans have not or will not come to terms that fact. Little Richard discovered Jimmi and hired jimmi as his guitarist - ok wrap your mind around what that all would entail. you people write your words and feelings as YOUR truth..so your stories line up, which are LIES. if you can handle the truth, and the truth will set you free..then jimmi being bisexual has to become your truth..or your still just telling lies so your story makes you sound correct. Stop Lying about Jimi Hendrix

    Ford Ron October 14, 2019   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is about 1969 and then "hippie" generation. About how people were so concerned about conforming, except for the counter culture, and how the "business men" were trying to put down the counter culture idea.

    Robert_Planton July 08, 2002   Link

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